Willow leaf-shape ReSe2@C as positive electrode material for aluminum-ion batteries

Recently, aluminum-based batteries have received extensive attention from researchers because of their advantages over other metals-based batteries in terms of cost, energy density, and safety performance. Herein, we synthesized willow leaf-shape ReSe 2 @C as the positive electrode of aluminum batteries. ReSe 2 , with anisotropic crystal structure, is encapsulated in carbon using weak interlaminar van der Waals force. Its low lattice symmetry increases the ion/electron adsorption sites and reduces the energy barrier for ion intercalation into ReSe 2 layers. The electrochemical analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of ReSe 2 @C have ascertained that AlCl 4 - is intercalated/embedded in host material during charging/discharging. The specific discharge capacity of ReSe 2 @C remains 88 mA h g −1 after 1000 cycles at the current density of 100 mA g −1 , with a high Coulomb efficiency of 98%. • Fabrication of an aluminum ion battery with a novel ReSe 2 @C cathode material by hydrothermal method. • ReSe 2 @C with willow leaf-shape as the positive electrode of aluminum batteries. ReSe 2 is encapsulated in carbon by using weak interlaminar van der Waals force and anisotropic crystal structure. • ReSe 2 @C specific discharge capacity remains 88 mA h g −1 at 100 mA g −1 after 1000 cycles.